smittle



Nov 2, 1937. w. R. SMITTLE 2,097,606

MQUNTING FOR PROPELLER SHAFTS Filed March 12, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 2, 1937. -w. R. SMITTLE MOUNTING FOR PROPELLER! SHAFTS Filed March 12, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 83mm M4722 k 5/1/7745,

Patented Nov. 2, 1937 UNIT ED sTArEs MOUNTING FOR PROPELLER SHAFTS Walter R. Smittle, St. Louis, Ma.

Application March 12 Claims.

This invention pertainsto a mounting forpropeller shafts, particularly the shafts of power boats; Considerable difliculty' has been experienced in maintaining'the bearings of the propel-ler shafts of power boats, particularly the outboard: bearing which supports the shaft just forward ofthepropeller. It has also been found diflicult toprovidia a suitable packing for the shaft-at the point where it comes through the hull of theboat. It has been discovered that a considerable portion ofthese difficulties arises from the fact that the shaft often becomes misaligned and consequently lateral-strains areput upon the bearings and packings so that excessive wear reis placed in the water there is often a tendency for the hull to warp on account of the changein the supporting forces. Under these conditions, the propeller shaft often changes its alignment when the boat is placed in the water.

Another object of this invention, therefore, is to provide mounting devices whereby the alignment of the shaft and the bearings and packings may be readjusted to correct alignment after the boat has'been placed-in the water.

Another'object is to provide improved bearing and packing means whereby a perfect seal may be established-against the entrance of water and such a sealm-aintainedl' Another object is to provide such means of simple construction which may be manufactured without excessive cost and which may be rugged anddurable in service.

Further objects will'appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich- Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of part of a b'oathull, showing the installation of a propeller shaft in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2' is an enlargedvertical sectional view of the boat log shown in Figure 1 Figure: Bisa plan view of Figure 2;

553 Figure his. an enlarged view, partly in section,

', 1934, SeriaI No. 715,103

(Cl. ans-36.2)

showing'the construction of the outboardbearmg;

Figures 5 and fiare views showing a preferred arrangement of clearance holes for the fastening bolts for Figures 3 and 4; and

Figure"? is a similar View for the parts of Figure 4.

Referring now to the drawings, l represents the bottom of the boat through which the propeller shaft 2 passes. This shaft carries a propeller 3 in the usual manner. Such a shaft is usuallysupported in two or more bearings. An outboard bearing 4 is secured toth'e boat hullon the outside thereof and just forward of the propeller 3. From this bearing thesha-ft 2 passes forwardly through the hullto an inboard bearing 5'. This latter bearing-may be-a separate guide bearing suitably supported within the hull, or, in the case of a small boat;- it may bethe engine bearing. In Figure 1", however, it its-illustrated as a separate guide bearing; Positioned between the bearings 4 and 5 at the point where the shaft 2 passes through the hull, is the so-called boat 10% 6, which carries a packing device indicated at 1, adapted to seal the shaft against the entrance of water at this point.

In accordance with this invention both of the are mounted so that the alignment of the shaft therein may, be adjusted. Referring, first, to the bearingj5, this may be provided at one or both ends, or at an intermediate portion thereof, with an outstanding flange 8 adapted to be secured to a support 9 mounted in any suitablemanner on the boat structure. Mounted between the flange 8 and'the support 9 is an aligning member 10. The member Ill is arranged for adjustment so as to vary either the" angular position of the shaft or itsvertical' height. Toward this end the element II] is provided on one'side with a cylindrical'face ll. The opposite facelZ is preferably flat, or at least of less curvature than the face H, Thealigning element is placed so that the axis'of the cylinder, of which the face ll forms apart, is horizontal. In Figure 1 the face bearings 4 and'5 and also the packing device 1 II is shown as concave with respect to the element In. It may, however, be convexand the same result may be obtained. The flange 8 of the bearing has a cylindrical face matching the face H and adapted for angular adjustment therein. Suitable fastening devices, such as the bolts 13, are arranged forsecuring the flange 8 and the element] 0 against the supportS. These bolts are preferably arranged to pass through clearance holes in one-or'more ofthe partsa, 9, or It so as to It will be noted that this arrangement provides for both angular and vertical adjustment. The bearing may rotate in the cylindrical face H to adjust its angular position and thereafter the element l0 may be shifted vertically on the support 9 so as to adjust the elevation of the shaft at this point.

The packing device I is similarly mounted. In this case the boat log 6 provides the support. The element ID has in this case a convex cylindrical face, indicated at l4 and a relatively flat face I2. The base l5 of the packing device 1 has a face matching the cylindrical face l4. also, bolts l3, passing through suitable clearance holes, are provided to clamp the parts in adjusted position. Suitable gaskets l6 ofrubber, or rubber-like material adapted to yield under pressure, may be placed between the matching faces in this case, so as to provide an effective and permanent seal.

In the case of the outboard bearing 4, this is supported on a suitable strut or hanger H. In

- this case the cylindrical face is placed at H3 at the upper end of the hanger where it is supported on the boat hull. The element I0 again provides a cylindrical face, matching the face l8, and a relatively fiat face which maybe arranged to engage the hull l of the boat. A metallic plate I9 is preferably provided on the inside of the hull, while screws !3 provide the securing devices for securing the parts in adjusted position. In this case the screws may be arranged to pass through clearance holes in the elements in and I9 and to be threaded into the hanger H, as illustrated in Figure 4. In this case also, gaskets l6 provide a seal against the entrance of water.

The curvature of the face l8 may be given a radius R, having its center at some point on the axis of the shaft 2, such as the point C, preferably close to the propeller 3. The adjustment for angularity then takes place about the center C, so that the elevation of the propeller remains substantially undisturbed.

The outboard bearing 4 may be constructed entirely of bronze or other suitable bearing metal, in which case it may be simply bored to provide a bearing 20 for the shaft 2. In case, however, the device should be constructed of other metal, a suitable bearing sleeve or bushing may be inserted in the usual manner. The bearing surface 20 may be providtd with oil grooves 2| for distributing lubricant, in a well known manner. A

lubricant supply duct 22is provided passing downwardly along the hanger I! from its upper extremity. At its upper end, it communicates with a suitable conduit 23 which maybe securedin the duct 22 by threads, brazing or other suitable manner. A pad or packing 24 is provided which may be a rubber sleeve surrounding the conduit and held in place by the plate l9. Clearance is provided around the sleeve 24 so thatits'position may be maintained throughout any adjustment relative to the plate It]. 'This provides means ,a reservoir for lubricant.

In this case i whereby lubricant may be supplied to this bearing from. the inside of the boat so that it will not be necessary to take the boat out of the water in order to lubricate the outboard hearing.

The bearing 4 is supplied at both ends thereof with packing devices adapted to seal the same against the entrance of water. These devices and the packing device I, previously mentioned, are of the same construction so that the following description will apply to both.

Screwed into the end of the bearing 4 is a bearing plate 25 having a radial bearing or sealing ...face 25. The plate 25 is provided with an inner shoulder 21 arranged to leave a space 28 between the plate 25 and the bearing 4 adapted to provide These reservoirs at both ends of the bearing 4 communicate with the duct 22 by means ofa longitudinal duct 29, so that the lubricant supplied by the duct 22 may also be supplied to the reservoir spaces 28. The face 26 is provided with an annulargroove 30 which communicates, by means of one or more ducts 3 I,-

with the'reservoir space 28. In this manner lubricantmay be supplied continually to the sealing, face 26 of thepacking device. Arranged for seal-- ing engagement with the face 26 is a packing element 32, having a radial face accurately ground, to fit the face 26. This element is loose on the Mounted surface of the bore 33 and the outer surface ofthe shaft 2. A retaining collar 35 is secured to the shaft 2 by means of a set screw 36 or other suitable fastening. This collar has an axially ex tending tongue 31 slidably fitted in a notch 38 in the rim of the packing element 32. This providesa key whereby the element 32 is carried in rota- 'tion with the shaft 2 while being loose thereon, so

that it may vary in its alinement slightly in order.

to maintain the sealing contact with the face 25. A spring 39 seated in a bore 40 in the collar 35 bears against a metallic'washer 4|, which in turn bears against the flexible sealing washer 34 the lubricant is continually supplied at this face.

In a similar manner, the packing device I is supplied with lubricant from the grease cup 42.

It will be seen that this invention provides a mounting whereby a propeller shaft may be.

maintained in perfect alinement and a perfect seal maintained to prevent the entrance of water.

either into the boat or into the outboarclbearing. The shaft may be alined in a preliminary fashion upon its original installation while theboat is still on the supporting blocks before it is placed in the water. Upon placing the boat in the water, the fastenings l3 may be loosened sufficiently to permit the necessary shift of the parts. In this manner, the shaft is permitted to realign itself in response to any warping of the boat structure when placed in the water. The realignment in each case involves two movements, which; of course, may take place simul,-.-

taneously. One of'these is an angular movement on thexcylindrical face of .the. aligning element Ill. Such angular movement must necessarily take place about a center, which is the center of the cylinder of which this cylindrical face forms a part. As this center may not coincide with the point about which the angular movement of the shaft as a whole takes place, a lateral shift in a vertical direction is necessary in addition to the angular shift. This lateral shift is provided for by a movement of the element ID on the fiat face I2. Accordingly, each of the devices 4, 5 and I may align itself not only angularly, but in a vertical direction, so that its alignment coincides with that of the shaft and no side strains are imposed thereon. It will also be noted that after the re-alignment has taken place and the parts have assumed their new adjustment, the fastening devices I3 may be screwed up tight and secured in the adjusted relation so established. In the case of the outboard bearing, it will be noted that this adjustment may be made from inside the boat.

It will also be noted that the outboard bearing provides for both an angular and a fore and aft adjustment, so that the bearing may be adjusted to the propeller in the position in which the latter is to be maintained. The bearing itself may be adjusted to accurate alignment with the shaft so that an accurate guide bearing is provided. This is maintained against the entrance of water by sealing devices at opposite ends and lubricating means are provided for supplying lubricant both to the bearing and to the packing devices in such a manner that the water seal is maintained and perfect lubrication for the bearing is provided. The lubricant may be supplied from the inside of the boat and, if necessary, pressure lubrication may be established.

While this installation has been described as a unitary device, it will be understood that individual features and subcombinations thereof may be useful by themselves without reference to other features or the complete combination. It will also be understood that any desired combination of these separate features may be used and that the employment of such individual features or subcombinations is contemplated by this invention and is within the scope of the appended claims. It is furthermore obvious that various changes may be made in details of construction, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of this invention. It is, therefore, understood that this invention is not to be limited to the specific construction shown and/or described.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

1. A supporting bearing for a propeller shaft comprising an outboard bearing for said shaft, a supporting hanger for said bearing attachable to a boat and having a cylindrical face, an aligning element having a cylindrical face matching that of said hanger and having a flat face shiftably engageable with a support,. and means op erable from inside the boat for securing said parts in adjusted relation.

2. In combination with a shaft and a support therefor, a controlling device such as a bearing embracing the shaft, and an alining plate interposed between said device and said support having a curved surface of long radius whose center lies adjacent the shaft and a relatively flat surface extending transversely of the shaft engaging corresponding surfaces on said device and said support, said plate being shiftable along the curve of its surface transversely of said shaft relatively thereto to aline the shaft.

3. In combination with a shaft and a support therefor, a controlling device such as a bearing embracing the shaft, and an alining plate interposed between said device and said support having a curved surface of long radius and a relatively flat surface engaging corresponding surfaces on said device and said sup-port, said plate being shiftable transversely of said shaft relatively thereto to aline the shaft, and means providing a yielding facing for said alining plate compressible to provide sealing engagement therewith.

4. In combination with a shaft, an inboard bearing and an outboard bearing, a boatlog, a packing device for the shaft, and an alining plate interposed between said device and said boatlog having a curved surface of long radius and a relatively flat surface engaging corresponding surfaces of said device and said boatlog, said plate being shiftable along the curve of its surface transversely of said shaft relatively thereto to aline the shaft.

5. In combination with a shaft and a support therefor, a controlling device such as a bearing embracing the shaft, and an alining member interposed between said device and said support having a curved surface of long radius and a relatively flat surface engaging corresponding surfaces on said device and said support, said member being shiftable transversely of said shaft relatively thereto to aline the shaft, and means providing yielding engagement between said member and said device and said support so as to make sealing engagement therewith.

WALTER R. SMITTLE. 

